Friday, January 6, 2012

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How to Prepare Your Household for Emergencies

Now that I am a father and homeowner, I often think about how prepared I am (or am not) for an emergency or disaster. At the end of the day it is my job to protect my family and property. In the last 2 years it seems there has been disaster after disaster and I can't help but wonder what I will do.

Having a good emergency plan is critical, and so is having the right supplies. Having the right types of foods for survival and plenty of clean water is priority number one. Most professionals will recommend having at least 3 days of food and water, but that seems too little for me. Five days to a week seems more realistic considering some of the actual circumstances Americans found themselves in in the last couple of years.

Once your food and water needs are taken care of, you will need to equip a large duffel as if you were going to camp for at least 5 days including something to start fires, keep warm, first aid, batteries and lighting, baby wipes, clothing and toiletries. A good hatchet and pocket knife are always a good idea to include in your emergency kit as well.

If you are open to firearms, a small caliber handgun with the proper training and licensing is a great way to help you feel secure and safe when so much may be out of your control. And probably the very most important thing to have ready in an emergency: A good plan that the entire family has memorized.